While Canterlot, as a town, could rightly be called a fairly busy and hectic place at times, there were, however, places dotted about it that experienced relative peace and calm most of the time. One such place was located right on the outskirts of town, adjacent to a small woodland on the border between where the town ended and the countryside began. There, just short of the treeline, was a tiny cottage that most would normally expect to find on the cover of a fairy tale book. Thatched roof, a little stream, and some small trees out front with singing birds in their branches. This place was the very definition of tranquil and peaceful. And so it should have been, for this was none other than the home of Fluttershy, noted CHS student and volunteer of the town's only animal shelter. If ever there was a home that suited her, it was this.

And so it was that the girl in question now found herself back here, in the small kitchen of the cottage, preparing what was easily recognised as a pot of tea. She smiled as she did this, occasionally looking out of the window to see how her numerous animals were getting on, and only stopping once the kettle had finished boiling. After a few minutes, the tea was prepared, and the shy girl placed two full cups of it onto a small tray and began to carefully take them out into the adjacent living room. There, much like everywhere else in this house, there was a real feeling of comfort, as virtually every piece of furniture was soft and endowed with many pillows. And it was in one such chair that Fluttershy now saw her home's guest; Adagio. The eldest Siren, seeing her host arrive, put on a small smile before graciously taking a single cup from her.

"Thank you, my dear. It's rare to find one with manners as impeccable as yours these days."

But Fluttershy merely blushed at that as she took her own cup and sat upon a chair of her own, right across the table from where Adagio now sat.

"Oh, there's no need for that, Adagio. You're my guest, after all."

The Siren nodded, blowing on her tea a little before taking a sip.

"Maybe so, but still, it was nice of you to invite me over today, Flutters."

Fluttershy nodded at that.

"Well, the other girls all wanted to go and see that movie, and, well, I thought it was going to be a bit loud, so I decided not to go with them. And I guess I wanted some company today."

Adagio considered that for a moment, raising one eyebrow before gesturing to a nearby window.

"Far be it from me to criticise your day plans, friend. But I'd have thought you'd have plenty of little companions to spend the day with."

Looking to the window, Fluttershy put on a small smile before replying.

"Oh yes! I do so love my animals. Nothing makes me happier than spending time with them and caring for them. But sometimes...I suppose I just need somebody to talk to."

Adagio nodded, conceding that point, at which point she took another sip before speaking up again.

"Speaking of which, where's that favourite pet of yours? You know, the little rabbit?"

At that, Fluttershy looked a little down.

"Oh, you mean Angel? Yes, he needed to go to the vet today. I already miss him, but he needed to go after he swallowed that tangerine."

Adagio rolled her eyes a little.

"I wouldn't worry, my dear. That bunny of yours has survived far worse than fruit in the past. Seriously, that little thing is dynamite sometimes."

Fluttershy smiled at that, clearly appreciating Adagio's attempt to cheer her up.

"Thanks. Do...do you have any pets?"

Adagio shook her head at that.

"I'm afraid not, Flutters. Sonata kept begging me for a puppy at one point, but, as expected, she kept forgetting we had it after she actually got the thing, so we had to leave it with another family."

Fluttershy's smile faded a little, prompting Adagio to continue speaking.

"Oh, don't worry about the little thing, dear! He's fine! Sonata, when she does remember, checks up on the little guy every once in a while. He's doing well, or so I’m told."

Seeing her guest take another sip of tea after that, Fluttershy considered her words for a few moments, after which she smiled, now satisfied that the animal in question was properly cared for. As the two sat in silence for a few minutes, Adagio began to look around the room. It was, without question, a serene and calm place to be, as well as comfortable, as her own chair could testify. And yet, as she looked to a nearby window, to how far away the actual town of Canterlot was, one question seemed to burn on her mind.

"I must confess...with you having as many friends as you do, I was rather expecting you to be living far closer to town than this."

Hearing that, Fluttershy's expression become somewhat thoughtful, after which she gave a nod before answering.

"Well...I do like my friends and everybody in town, but...I suppose I'm more comfortable out here, where it’s quieter and…less busy."

Adagio considered that before placing her tea down on the table, after which she thought back to all the times she'd seen the girl. On the rare times she wasn't part of her main group, the Rainbooms, she was often by herself, or with her animals. Socializing or spending time with others seemed to be pretty far from her mind, prompting to raise an eyebrow before speaking up again.

"Darling, you really mustn’t be so worried about getting attention the way you do."

Fluttershy looked up from her own tea, though remained silent as Adagio continued.

"Being around others, especially when they like you, is a wonderful feeling. And given everything you've done for this town, and the school in particular, I don’t doubt that you'd have plenty of people wanting to spend time with you."

Fluttershy looked down a little, considering that for a moment before starting to reply.

"You...you enjoy all that attention, don't you?"

Adagio chuckled.

"But of course, Flutters. You know me. My sisters and I practically lived to be adored for a very long time, remember?"

Fluttershy nodded at that.

"I know. And I know that, when people like you, it's nice to have them pay attention to you. Like when my friends and me used to sing really well in front of them."

Adagio smiled before gesturing to the shy girl in what looked like triumph.

"There you go!"

But, Fluttershy, to Adagio's surprise, then put on a small frown.

"But...people's attention isn't always good."

At that, Adagio raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? And when has it ever been Bad?"

With that, Fluttershy knew exactly how to respond.

"Well...there was when we sang in the contest and everything went wrong. Or how you made it so it looked like we won when we didn’t deserve it. Or..."

Fluttershy began to look more than a little uncomfortable, as if ashamed of what she had to say.

"...there was also...when you and your sisters...lost."

With that, Adagio's smile faded entirely. Instead, she began to sit in silence, and while at first she was tempted to ask Fluttershy not to bring up such unpleasant memories, in truth, it actually made her think. Her memories called forth that terrible moment, when all the attention and adoration they'd gathered for themselves turned sour, replaced instead by humiliation. The way the crowds had jeered at them, the way they were driven off in shame. They'd wanted attention in that moment, and they'd got it. Remaining silent, Adagio let out a sigh, picking up her tea and taking a sip, leaving Fluttershy worried that she may have accidentally insulted her guest. But, in time, Adagio began to wear a smile, albeit a much smaller one than she usually wore.

"You're right...attention was bad that day. The crowd may be with you one moment...but when it goes, it really goes."

Fluttershy, relieved at having avoided a bad moment with the other girl, began to smile along with her.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up, but...I hope you can understand why I might not want to put myself out there as much as you do."

Adagio nodded.

"No need to apologise, my dear, you made a fine point. I suppose, as much as it may pain me to say it, that level of attention is something I could possibly try and do without every once in a while."

Fluttershy's smile widened, only to stop as Adagio gave her full attention to her.

"However...this is not simply a matter of getting people to notice you being an all-around bad thing, dearie. You've got to learn not to hide yourself away like you do. Those girls you spend so much time with? They'd want you to be part of things, putting yourself out there. You've been asked to do it before, and you'll no doubt be asked to do it again. The eyes of many others could be on you one day, and you will need to deal with it."

At first, Fluttershy gulped at that prospect, but, over time, her look of concern gave way to yet another sigh on her part, and her words were, admittedly, hesitant.

"I...okay. I guess we can both cope with a little change like that, right?"

Adagio smiled and nodded in conformation, but was prevented from assaying anything further when, all of a sudden, the phone began to ring. Although taken aback by this, Fluttershy soon began to move over to the thing. Adagio watched her go, sipping her tea as she did so, and began to watch her pick the phone up, after which she started to have a barely-audible conversation with whoever was on the other side. After a while, Fluttershy gave a smile and a nod before putting the phone down, after which she turned to Adagio with an even wider smile on her face.

"It's the vet. They say Angel's fine and they want me to pick him up!"

Adagio chuckled a little before getting out of her chair.

"Very well then. Let's do it."

At that, Fluttershy seemed somewhat surprised.

"Oh, you don't need to trouble yourself."

But Adagio shook her head.

"Ah ah ah! What kind of friend would I be if I just let you go alone?"

Fluttershy considered that, and the “I’ve already won” tone with which Adagio had said that, before simply nodding her head and exhaling deeply, showing defeat before the battle had even started.

"Alright then. But...there'll probably be lots of people down there, and I'd rather do this quietly and get back home. So…promise you won’t try and get too many people's attention while we're in town, okay?"

At that, Adagio merely smirked in that famous way of hers.

"My dear...when have I ever done that?"